Homemade Rotisserie Chicken (Air Fryer Recipe)
Enjoy a Perfect Chicken & Beer Night with Homemade Rotisserie Chicken Made in Your Air Fryer!
Remember those delicious rotisserie chickens sold by vendors on street corners? Now you can recreate that amazing flavor at home! This recipe uses an air fryer to make incredibly juicy and crispy whole chicken. It’s perfect for a comforting meal or a fun gathering with friends.
Whole Chicken Ingredients
- 2 whole young chickens (about 2 lbs each)
- 6 cloves garlic
- 1 cup cooked glutinous rice (sweet rice)
- 1 fresh ginseng root
- 2 dried jujubes (dates)
- 2 gingko nuts
- 2 peeled chestnuts
Brining & Seasoning Marinade
- 2 Tbsp salt
- A generous pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (like Mirin)
- 2 Tbsp salt
- A generous pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 Tbsp cooking wine (like Mirin)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, trim any excess fat around the cavity and wingtips of the chickens. Also, remove any large fatty deposits near the cavity opening. This step helps to prevent a greasy texture and ensures a cleaner presentation.
Step 2
Rinse the prepared chickens thoroughly inside and out under cold running water. Gently rub the skin to remove any remaining impurities, ensuring a clean base for cooking.
Step 3
Pour boiling water over the rinsed chickens. This step helps to tighten the skin, making it crispier later, and also helps to remove any lingering gamey odors. Immediately rinse with cold water afterwards.
Step 4
Make a few shallow slashes on the thickest part of the breast meat with a sharp knife. These cuts allow the marinade to penetrate deeper and help the breast meat cook more evenly and quickly, resulting in a more tender texture.
Step 5
Now, let’s prepare the brining marinade. In a bowl, mix together salt, pepper, olive oil, and cooking wine. Generously rub this mixture all over the outside and inside of the chickens, making sure to get some into the slashes on the breast. Also, sprinkle some salt inside the cavity. Let the chickens marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or preferably for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor penetration.
Step 6
Prepare the filling for the chicken cavity. You can use whatever ingredients you have on hand. Some great options include fragrant ginseng, sweet jujubes, nutty chestnuts, and pungent garlic. Don’t worry if you don’t have all of these; the chicken itself is the star!
Step 7
For the filling, it’s best to use cooked glutinous rice (sweet rice). This adds a wonderful chewy texture that complements the tender chicken. Regular rice can be used, but glutinous rice elevates the dish.
Step 8
Carefully stuff the marinated chickens with the cooked glutinous rice and your chosen filling ingredients like ginseng, jujubes, and chestnuts. Be careful not to overstuff, as the rice will expand during cooking. You can secure the cavity opening with toothpicks to keep the filling inside.
Step 9
Place the stuffed chickens into the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 200°C (390°F) and cook for at least 30 minutes. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chickens, so check for doneness.
Step 10
To ensure even cooking and browning, open the air fryer every 15 minutes to turn the chickens. Rotate them to expose all sides to the heat. If the skin looks a little dry, lightly brush with a bit more olive oil to help it crisp up beautifully. This process guarantees a crispy skin and juicy interior.
Step 11
Voilà! Your homemade rotisserie chicken is ready. The skin should be golden brown and crispy, and the meat inside should be incredibly moist and tender. You can check for doneness by inserting a skewer; the juices should run clear.
Step 12
Carve the perfectly cooked chicken in half and serve it hot. Feel free to prepare a side salad, some fresh vegetables, or your favorite dipping sauce to complement the meal. Enjoy your delicious homemade rotisserie chicken!
